On the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem
By Abba Jimmy (Theoloscience)
Today, the Light of the World enters His holy temple, and the righteous Simeon, moved by the Spirit, takes Him into his arms, proclaiming:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29–32)
Simeon’s words are a declaration of a truth that concerns us all. Christ is the Light that has come into the world (John 8:12). He enters the Temple to fulfill the Law, and to reveal His mission: to bring salvation, to be the refining fire that purifies, to destroy the power of death, and to bring us into His marvelous light (Malachi 3:1–4, Hebrews 2:14–15).
A question that must burn in our hearts today: What do we do with this Light? Do we embrace it, or do we resist it?
Malachi’s prophecy speaks with striking urgency:
“But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi.” (Malachi 3:2–3)
Jesus is the light that comforts; and He is the consuming fire that purifies. He comes to burn away the dross, to cleanse us from within, to shape us into a people fit to offer true worship to God. That refining is not always easy — it involves trials, struggles, the piercing of our hearts as Simeon foretells to Mary:
“And you yourself a sword will pierce, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:35)
The Presentation of the Lord in the temple is about the joy of seeing the Light, and — allowing that Light to transform us. Like gold and silverin in a refiner’s fire, we must be willing to be transformed, purified, made holy.
In the the Letter to the Hebrews we read:
“Since the children share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.” (Hebrews 2:14–15)
Fear has a way of keeping us in darkness. Fear of suffering, fear of the unknown, fear of stepping into God’s call, fear of dying. But Christ’s light breaks those chains. The Devil thrives in darkness, in deception, in keeping us bound by fear. But Christ became like us in every way (Hebrews 2:17) so that we might no longer live as slaves of fear, but as free sons and daughters of the Light.
Are there areas in our lives where we still live in fear? Where darkness still reigns? Today, as we said above, Christ is presented in the Temple to fulfill the Law, and to fulfill the promise of our liberation.
Simeon and Anna respond immediately when they encounter the Light. They recognize, they proclaim, they rejoice!But not everyone does. As Jesus will later say:
“The light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)
The Presentation of the Lord forces a decision: Will we embrace the Light, or resist it? We see this dynamic throughout the Gospels — some, like Simeon and Anna, receive Christ with joy. Others, like Herod and the Pharisees, reject Him because they fear what His presence will demand of them.
This is true in our own lives. Christ comes to us in Scripture, in the Eucharist, in the people we encounter daily. Are we open to seeing Him, or are we too caught up in our own darkness to recognize Him?
Simeon takes Christ into his arms. He does see the Light — and he holds it, welcomes it, proclaims it. This is our calling too. As St. Paul declares:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
To embrace the Light means to let Christ transform our hearts. It means leaving behind our sins, surrendering our fears, and carrying His presence into the world. This is beautifully symbolized in today’s tradition of carrying candles — a reminder that we, too, are bearers of the Light.
Just as Mary bore Christ in her arms, just as Simeon held Him close, we are called to bear Christ to the world. The Light is not meant to be hidden, but to shine in every corner of our lives.
“Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the King of Glory may come in!” (Psalm 24:7)
The Light of Christ is for all people, in every place, in every generation. No one is beyond its reach. No sphere of life is untouched by its brilliance. This feast is a summons to the present, a call that echoes through the corridors of power and into the streets of the poor, into the classrooms and the courts, into hospitals and marketplaces, into every heart that longs for truth.
To those in government and politics: let the Light of Christ illuminate your decisions. Do not govern in darkness, but in justice and truth. He is the true King — “the Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.” (Psalm 24:8) Serve under His banner, not the shifting sands of human ambition.
To those in economics and commerce: let integrity and generosity replace greed and corruption. The true wealth is not in profits alone, but in building a society where no one is forgotten — “the Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory!” (Psalm 24:10)
To those in the arts and culture: your gift is not only for entertainment, it is to reflect beauty, truth, and goodness. Let your creativity be a window to the divine, a candle that drives back the darkness of despair and deception.
To those in education and academia: seek wisdom, not just knowledge. Let Christ, who is the Light of the world (John 8:12), illuminate your understanding, guiding students and scholars toward the highest truth.
To those in health care: you work in the image of the Great Physician, who came to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds (Luke 4:18). Let your service reflect the mercy and compassion of Christ.
To those in law and legislation: justice is not a human invention — it is of God. Let your work uphold what is right and true, for the Lord whom you seek will come suddenly to His temple (Malachi 3:1). He is the ultimate Judge before whom all will stand.
To those in industry, innovation, and labor: your hands build, create, and sustain. But let them work with honesty and dignity, knowing that true prosperity comes from righteousness.
And to every heart, in every home, in every place — embrace the Light! Do not resist Him. Do not cling to the darkness. The Light has come into the world, and we must run to meet Him!
“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30–32)
Let Christ shine in every place, in every decision, in every life. He is the Light. Receive Him. Follow Him. Carry Him to the world.
Amen!
